The Brumbies are undefeated after their first four games and sit atop the Australian conference and the competition, but the Reds (4-2, 17 points) consolidated their grip on a wildcard spot.

"I saw some bits and pieces which made me feel pretty good that we are starting to climb," Reds director of coaching Ewen McKenzie said post-match.

"We certainly are nowhere near the top of the mountain, but we are heading in the right direction.

"We have seven games before the bye so if we can get there at five wins and two losses that will be fantastic."

Wallabies skipper James Horwill ended a 308-day wait on the sidelines with hamstring and ankle problems when he finally led out his beloved Reds against the South African conference leaders in front of the 28,399-strong Brisbane faithful.

We certainly are nowhere near the top of the mountain, but we are heading in the right direction.

Reds director of coaching Ewen McKenzie

But Horwill might still have some anxious days ahead of him based on the Reds' erratic display.

He watched hopelessly from the bench after his 40-minute comeback cameo as the Bulls not only reeled in a 13-6 half-time deficit by the 49th minute but threatened to snatch a last-gasp victory.

The Bulls looked to have sealed it when JJ Engelbrecht crashed over after the siren - only for video replays to show Chris Feauai-Sautia's tackle had forced the centre to put a stray foot into touch.

Queensland's frustrating form was best summed up by the opening minutes of the second half.

The Reds were their own worst enemies as silly mistakes gifted three penalties in six minutes, allowing the Bulls to reclaim the lead 15-13 just nine minutes into the second half.

But in what appeared a square-up after Queensland full-back Jono Lance's dubious first-half yellow card, Bulls winger Lionel Mapoe was sin-binned in the 52nd minute for a lifting tackle on Reds prop James Slipper and the Reds pounced.

Fly half Quade Cooper combined beautifully with halves partner Will Genia to exploit their sudden one-man advantage on the left edge and cross a minute later to establish a 20-15 lead.

Both sides exchanged penalties, setting the scene for the heart-stopping finale.

Genia set up the half-time buffer when he inspired phase after phase before a jinking Cooper set up Lance with just minutes left on the clock in the first half.

McKenzie equalled Robbie Deans' record of 120 Super Rugby games as coach on Saturday night.

Victory in Perth made it three straight away wins for the South African side for the first time in franchise history.

Their four-week road trip started with a 45-3 thrashing at the hands of the defending champion Chiefs before a 36-19 result over the Highlanders and a narrow 27-26 victory against the Waratahs.

It was the Force's first home game of the season after losses away to the Melbourne Rebels, Southern Kings and Bulls before last week's stirring win over the Queensland Reds.

It also marked the opening of Perth Oval's new $95 million eastern grandstand that seats almost 10,000 taking the ground's capacity to 20,500.

The home fans went home disappointed though.

The Force looked relatively comfortable after dominating play in the first half and scoring a try through Winston Stanley, but the Cheetahs kept coming and eventually le Roux's late try sealed the result.

Crusaders thump Kings in Christchurch

In Christchurch, Crusaders blindside flanker George Whitelock crossed twice in the first half as the Crusaders earned their bonus point in the opening 40 minutes, with Wyatt Crockett and Willi Heinz also grabbing five-pointers.

55-20

Penalties conceded:

Chiefs 7-8 Highlanders

Time in opp. half (%):

Chiefs 48-52 Highlanders

Runs:

Kieran Read (CRU) 14

Offloads:

Luke Romano, Zac Guildford (CRU) 2

Matt Todd and Luke Whitelock scored tries after the break before the older Whitelock brother George sealed the deal for the Crusaders late in the piece with his third.

Crusaders fly half Dan Carter had a perfect night with the boot, slotting five of five conversions and two penalty goals from as many attempts.

George Whitehead scored a consolation try for the Kings before the hooter which added little dignity to the scorecard.

The Canterbury-based franchise now has three wins in a row after dropping their season opener and sits just one point behind the defending champion Chiefs (21) in the New Zealand conference.

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